Among the hundreds of people (and at least that many dogs) at Sunday's hugely successful inaugural Barkus on Main Mardi Gras parade in downtown Little Rock Sunday was a determined young woman who stood out because she was handing out fliers, not pet treats like everybody else. She eagerly spoke to anyone who would listen about the need to build a dog park in west Little Rock.
Patrons of Paws Park on Rebsamen Park Road, MacArthur Unleashed dog park in MacArthur Park, Burns Park dog park on the north side of the river, and assorted other facilities in Arkansas know what a godsend such places are for pet owners.
Anyone who's ever visited one of this high-spirited enclaves know that dog parks allow canines to run, jump, bounce, and burn up energy, get socialized, and romp in a safe enclosure with fellow four-leggers. Then there's the added benefit of allowing dog owners to do the same, especially when it comes to making friends with like-minded folks in the community.
To get a dog park in west Little Rock will take some money. Although the Little Rock Parks Department might be willing to designate a section of city-owned park space for a dog-friendly park, it won't pick up the tab for fencing, trash cans, watering stations, benches, and maybe a pavilion if shade is needed.
So the young woman handing out fliers at Barkus is asking dog lovers and anyone else who sees the value of such a space to cough up some cash at wlrdogpark.wordpress.com. It's pretty obvious that help is needed: The online fundraising effort, which began in mid-November, has raised $370. The goal is $20,000. And since the citizens behind the effort have formed into a nonprofit foundation, all donations are tax-deductible.
Editorial on 02/28/2017